Clarke’s theater department will participate in the 2021 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school's achievements for its November production of Mamma Mia!. Iowa PBS will broadcast a year-end Awards Showcase on July 9, 2021 at 8:30 p.m. The broadcast will feature highlights from several musical productions submitted for adjudication by high schools from across the state this year. Featured performances will be recorded at the Des Moines Civic Center in early June.
Kennedy Bland will perform an excerpt from her award-winning role in Mamma Mia! as Donna Sheridan.
Director Donal May will also be recognized during the Showcase receiving one of the Impact Awards for the adults involved with the shows.
Clarke Community High School will also be recognized with the following awards and honors: Distinguished Scene – “Voulez Vous”
Outstanding Student Orchestra (for the second consecutive year)
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Kennedy Bland as “Donna”
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Dan Hill as “Sam Carmichael”
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Derik Hill as "Harry Bright"
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Tori White as “Tanya”
Director Donal May will receive the “Impact Award”.
Additional honors and recognitions for all 78 schools in this year’s program will be available in a special online gallery at DMPA.org that will launch on July 9, 2021 in tandem with the Iowa PBS broadcast. IHSMTA is a yearlong, signature education initiative of Des Moines Performing Arts.
The directors of the show Mamma Mia! were: Karina Kelso (musical director), Donal May (stage director), Mary Pohlmann (vocal director) and Emma Bolton (student choreographer). The show was performed on November 13 & 14 at Clarke Community High School in Osceola.